Page 36 of Spoil
“I honestly don’t know yet. First things first, though, I’m going to put it in the bank to keep it safe. We can do that tomorrow, if you want to come with me?”
Danny’s returning smile warms my chest as a comfortable sort of peace settles between us.
Chapter eighteen
Penelope
The next day, I make an excuse of having to run errands and take Danny to the bank the moment it opens. I was truthful when I told her I didn’t know what I’d do with it. It’s there to pay for things Danny might need, but what four-year-old needs anything more than food, clothing, stuffed animals, and coloring books?
I wait patiently in line for the next available teller. I haven’t responded to Daniel’s question about a date on Wednesday. Part of me wants to scream “hell yes” and join him for everything. Another part of me wants to be cautious, to not rush things or get my hopes up just yet. He’s told me several times what his intentions are, but there’s still a part of me that doesn’t trust it.
Fairy tales only ever happen in children’s books. I’ve never had it easy. Growing up in a single-parent household, living lower-middle class, then dropping out of college, losing my father, becoming a single parent, working three jobs just to pay the bills.
The idea that there’s this gorgeous, successful, rich, funny, wonderful man ready to sweep me off my feet and take care ofme? It just doesn’t add up. But I’m willing to hear him out and see where this goes.
“Next!” The forty-something-year-old woman calls from an open teller. I pull out my wallet as we approach and remove my debit card and Daniel’s check.
“I’d like to deposit this, please?” I say, placing both items on her counter and sliding them under the plexiglass.
The woman with a sour expression looks down at the check and then peers over her glasses at me. I don’t miss the once-over she gives me and Danny. My stomach sours. I know what we must look like. My jeans have holes and faded marks in them, not from a fashion designer’s vision but from hard work and labor. My tennis shoes are scuffed, and my hair is thrown haphazardly into a bun.
To be honest, I was in a rush to get here when they opened after making breakfast for everyone and bringing Gen’s up to her bed. Chastity and Grace will probably sleep until noon, but I left their breakfast in the fridge with reheating instructions.
The woman’s already sour expression turns murky as she flips the check over and inspects every part of it. I shift my weight uncomfortably but try not to give off too many unapproving vibes so Danny doesn’t pick up on my tension.
The woman hums thoughtfully before typing something into the computer.
“Usually checks this large come as wire transfers. May I see your ID as well?” I nod and pass it to her. “I’ll be right back.”
She takes everything and disappears into a back room. I’m trying not to be annoyed. I understand this is abnormal and she’s just doing her job, but does she have to be so judgmental about it? It feels like she can see the poverty on me and knows I don’t deserve that kind of money. Or that people like me don’t even deposit checks like that.
And she’s not wrong. I just don’t like that she had to remind me.
Breathing deeply, I simply wait, and wrap my hand around Danny’s again. After what feels like ages, she emerges again, sliding everything back under the plexiglass towards me.
Without a word, she types into her computer for a few more minutes, and suddenly I wonder if I’m being dismissed.
“Checks this large will have to go through corporate for approval. It’ll be ten to fifteen business daysifthey determine it isn’t fraudulent.”
I bristle at the accusation.
“That’s fine. Is that it?” I ask, tension causing my words to come out clipped.
“Yes, ma’am. Have a nice day.”
I’m dismissed.
As I take Danny’s hand and guide her towards the door, the feeling that Daniel and I come from very different worlds has never been so strong.
But what world do I want Danny to grow up in? I don’t want her ever to feel like a burden, but I also don’t want her to think that material things are what’s important in life.
Family, love, charity and service and the values I want her to grow up with.
I think of Chastity and Grace and how they’ve wasted the best years of their lives chasing after rich men because they want the lifestyle they can provide. And that’s their path. I’m also afraid that once they get it, then they’ll realize that things don’t make you happy. But maybe things do make them happy, and they’ll live happily-ever-after on their new yacht.
I’m tired, and my brain is running circles around itself.
Once I get Danny buckled into the car-seat, I sit in the driver’s seat. I don’t know about Daniel, and wealth, and Danny, andwhat our futures hold. But I do know that right now, I can afford to quit working at The Envelope.
